LALA CRAFFORD :: Post Residency Interview

#everydayfilters

Following the theme of how we look at and perceive everyday things, the #everydayfilters project endeavours to shed new light on what the everyday looks like through physical filters, made of everyday objects, instead of the typical digitally applied filters (such as instagram or photoshop filters) that social media users add to snaps of everyday life. It’s about ‘editing’ what we see by using physical objects rather than digital filters. This project is inspired by my love for analogue methods of creating interesting visual effects, allowing me to be less reliant on digital editing of imagery. In a world that is continuously evolving towards digital simulations and virtual reality, I find it important to realise that the physical world should not be taken for granted.

What was the main concept you explored and the themes that your residency explored?

Following the theme of how we look at and perceive everyday things, the #everydayfilters project endeavours to shed new light on what the everyday looks like through physical filters, made of everyday objects, instead of the typical digitally applied filters (such as instagram or photoshop filters) that social media users add to snaps of everyday life. It’s about ‘editing’ what we see by using physical objects rather than digital filters. This project is inspired by my love for analogue methods of creating interesting visual effects, allowing me to be less reliant on digital editing of imagery. In a world that is continuously evolving towards digital simulations and virtual reality, I find it important to realise that the physical world should not be taken for granted.

What did you do on a daily basis during the 2 week period?

Take cellphone photographs and add physical visual effects by using different objects to change the end result of the photograph. This was then posted on instagram to see what some public reactions might be.

How did the residency affect your own artistic practice or production during and after the residency?

It really challenged my understanding of what a visual ‘filter’ might be, and it also forced me to expose imagery generated that I wasn’t necessarily happy with or that I have not necessarily resolved. In the end the residency allowed me to gain insight in ‘n short timespan but also to persevere when, at times, it felt like there was no insight gained in the process. I felt quite productive, even though the daily results weren’t quite as profound as I initially anticipated.

Did you find that the guidelines helped or limited you?

Limited in terms of final result but helped in terms of finding creative solutions. It was also difficult to expose it to social media but the doubts I experienced helped me in the end.

Do you think you’ll carry on with the residency or project afterwards?

In a different format, yes. I have definitely generated some imagery that I want to continue working with and have gained more approaches to photography that I enjoy- as someone that doesn’t normally see photographs as the final result of my process, this residency taught me to accept that platform more.

Did the residency result in any specific additional work inspired by the process? If so how and what?

Yes- I definitely want to work more with translucent filters and reflections in a photographic field, instead of just in installations like I normally do. I think that I also appreciate digital tools a bit more now.